Here is where everyone can share there opinion on what Linebacker they think is the best of all-time. In my opinion it would be Ray Lewis.

Oh snap. This could be interesting!

I love Ray Lewis. He's actually my favorite linebacker of all time. But is he the best? I personally haven't watched tape of some of the greats like Dick Butkus or Lawrence Taylor, but I'd have to say he's up there on the list. He's the best I've ever watched, anyways. What's excellent about him is the intensity of his game and the leadership qualities he exhibited while he was in the game. Notice how the Ravens played after his injury. They limped into the playoffs, barely scraping by, losing to a Steelers team without Big Ben. But when he came back? The team came back to life, and they won a Super Bowl. His leadership is second to none in the NFL, and it's sad to see him go, but it was a pleasure to watch him play.

All this coming from a Florida State fan. I really do respect the guy, and I'm looking forward to seeing what his son can do for the University of Miami in the coming years. Ol' Ray thinks Li'l Ray could be better than him one day, but we'll see how hard he's willing to work. Ray Lewis was one of the hardest working players in the history of the NFL, and it showed when he came back from what should have been a season-ending tricep tear to record a ton of tackles in a four game stretch.

I'd like to say Dick Butkus, an old Bears linebacker, but I think the overall best would be L.T., Lawrence Taylor. My top three would be:

1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Dick Butkus
3. Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis was the best linebacker I've seen play NFL

I am going to have to go with my mentor, and the guy that I have his teams logo with his number inside of it tattooed on my right arm... Ray Lewis. There are some other ones that are up there, but I have to stay loyal. 

DaFlame12 :   You have just changed my way of thinking. Thank you for putting in that piece of logic!

Barathemos : You're welcome! I didn't know I could help just by saying that... I guess not many people think old-school like I do now, do they?

This question is purely subjective and is not specific enough(Middle, Strong outside, Weak Outside) AND for which defensive system? I mean you got the 46, 4-3, 3-4, Tampa Cover 2... choices are endless. For the Cover 2 system, I'd have to argue that Brian Urlacher and Derrick Brooks are neck and neck for the top spot. Ray Lewis, imo, was best during the 4-3 years when he had Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa plugging the middle of the defensive line. When they were gone, Ray Lewis was no better than Manti T'eo was against Alabama.

To me though, I would have to go with Jack Lambert. Even though I HATE the Steelers(I'm a Raiders fan... enough said right?), Lambert embodies what a Linebacker should be. Tough, gritty and lacks front teeth.

MattyIce : It doesn't matter what he did off the field it matter what he did on the field.

Lawrence Taylor is the best linebacker of all time. With Derrick Thomas maybe a close second. This is why. The team defenses where made from these guys. They didn't have a great team defense around them to make an overall great defense. Like the Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, Dick Butkis did. The teams had to prepare for the like of LT and DT specifically. Which was always a hard test for some of the best QB's in the game. Joe Montana, Dan Marino, and the likes of John Elway's.